Nigel de Jong suspended three games for Nagbe tackle

MLS has suspended LA Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong three matches for his tackle on Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe last Sunday night.

De Jong stomped on Nagbe's left ankle in the Galaxy's 1-1 draw and was given only a yellow card by referee Allen Chapman. The MLS Disciplinary Committee ruled Friday that de Jong "endangered the safety of an opponent" and merited a red card. SI's Grant Wahl reported that Nagbe's X-rays came back negative and an MRI showed a contusion and a medial ankle sprain. There has been no timetable set on his return, though he missed Portland's midweek loss to FC Dallas.

"While de Jong received a yellow card during the match, the Disciplinary Committee was unanimous that the action was a clear and unequivocal red card and the play was of an egregious and reckless nature such that the Committee must act to protect player safety," the MLS DisCo wrote in a statement.

De Jong will miss the Galaxy's matches against the Houston Dynamo (Friday night), Real Salt Lake (April 23) and Sporting Kansas City (May 1) before being able to return against the New England Revolution on May 8.

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